Glimpse into the Royals' Stunning Christmas Decorations through the Years

The Christmas holidays give the British Royals a chance to double up on stunning transformations that bring the familiar cheer of the season with their mammoth traditions. Let's have a look.

The unveiling of the British royal family's Christmas decorations for 2020 is yet to come. A side of their Christmas traditions dating back to 1848, the trees have been gigantic and gorgeous ever since.

In 2019, the Queen had a huge 20 foot Nordmann Fir tree set up in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, and it glittered with stunning ornaments that once upon a time included some kids would eat.

THEIR CHRISTMAS TRADITION ORIGINS

How Queen Elizabeth and the rest of her family celebrate Christmas began with Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. In 1848, their mother did bring yew trees for the holidays, but it's the actions of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria that made decorating trees take off.

The pair sent decorated Christmas trees to army barracks and schools closeby. Each tree got an engraving of the royal family together around a Christmas tree, and it became popular, but it was also true.

"Queen Victoria and Prince Albert brought the tree into Windsor Castle on Christmas Eve and they would decorate it themselves," Royal Collection curator Kathryn Jones said. "They would light the candles and put gingerbread on the tree, and the children would be brought in."

DOUBLING UP ON TREES

The royal family enjoyed spending Christmas together, and they started laying out their presents on Christmas Eve and waiting until teatime to exchange them.

Even though the royal family decorated their Christmas tree together, the tradition now includes the decoration of two trees by staff from the Royal Collection Trust.

Apart from the massive Nordmann Fir in St. George's Hall, there is a second tree located in Her Majesty's Crimson Drawing Room. The tree used last year was considerably smaller than the Nordmann Fir, but even so, it still came in at an impressive 15ft.

THE ROYAL CHRISTMAS DINING TABLE

A festive dinner party marked the royal family's Christmas celebrations in The State Dining Room last year, and the Queen didn't hold back on the decorations for the annual gettogether.

The dining room's colors reflected a gold-colored scheme completed by wreaths, candlesticks, and candelabras set up for the occasion, while the tableware followed suit with gold plates and goblets.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

According to recent reports, Queen Elizabeth II is considering canceling the usual Christmas celebrations altogether this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

With a second wave of the dreaded disease doing the rounds, the monarch has the health and safety in mind of everyone involved. Since it takes many staff members to prepare for the annual Christmas party, it might not happen at all.